Does the Latest Mahomes Injury Update Swing the Odds for Super Bowl LVII?
Super Bowl LVII is fast approaching, with neutral football fans across the US crossing their fingers to see all of the star players in both jerseys make it to the field. As the NFL’s crown jewel event, the very best players need to be on the field – even with Rihanna’s star power bolstering the game at halftime.
Unfortunately, for the last couple of weeks, the Kansas City Chiefs and, to a much lesser extent, the Philadelphia Eagles, have been nursing several injuries picked up in the playoffs. Some are just minor concerns, but one of the biggest players in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes, was suffering from a high-ankle strain.
Now, Mahomes has given us some news on his recovery, which might just influence how the experts see the big game playing out.
Mahomes offers positive news on his ankle
For nearly two weeks, the Chiefs have been the firm underdogs in the Super Bowl winner odds at +100, while the Eagles sat ahead at -120. On the spread, the Chiefs are given +1.5 to bring the odds to -111 each. Since then, Kansas City’s quarterback has come out with some positive injury news.
On the Monday of Super Bowl Week, Patrick Mahomes informed the press that his ankle is “definitely in a better position than it was at this time last week.” Prior to last week, when he played in the conference championship, he was able to put up 326 yards and two touchdowns by completing 29 of his 43 attempts.
However, it’d be tough to look past the visible pain that he was in when he suffered the injury in the divisional round, and his more restrained overall showing against the Bengals last time out. A high-ankle sprain, if left to heal, still takes several weeks, so Mahomes playing on it doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s fully fit.
Evidently, the oddsmakers don’t see his announcement as being enough to help the Chiefs. The lines remain slightly in favor of the Eagles at +100 for a Kansas City win. Just as damning, the QB who has exceeded 20 rushing yards ten times this season is at -137 to hit under that count at Super Bowl LVII.
Chiefs are dealing with many injuries
In the latest Philadelphia Eagles injury report, which also relays those of the Chiefs, five players were recorded as DNP for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday last week due to minor injuries and the need to rest. Several key players were down as limited practices on the Friday, but the group that featured AJ Brown and James Bradberry was listed as resting.
For the Chiefs, three leading wide receivers were down as doubtful or questionable, as were an outside linebacker and L’Jarius Sneed. Mahomes was listed as being a full participant, though, and Sneed is said to have now cleared the concussion protocol.
Luckily, the Chiefs should be able to utilize its surprisingly good running game to capitalize on a Philly defense that’s almost as susceptible at conceding rushing yards as Kansas City’s is. Mahomes potentially not being as mobile as usual would seemingly have the Eagles looking to pressure him more and perhaps free space in the trenches for the running backs to find success.
It seems that the sportsbooks and betting public are yet to be convinced by the health of Mahomes’ ankle, but some video evidence or clear-cut injury report closer to Super Bowl Sunday might just swing the Chiefs up in the odds.
